CO THE LIFE OF A RACEIIOrvSE. 



to my being stripped to go to the post for " tlie Blue E-iband of 

 tlie Turf." With six others, engaged in some of the minor 

 events of the meeting, we started at dawn, on a bright May 

 morning, when the sun was just lifting the mist from vale and 

 stream, and gilding the tree- top as it waved in the fresh, 

 flower- scented breath of the early summer's day. Hooded and 

 clothed, and led by Harry Dale, I crossed the threshold of box 

 No. 1 ; and upon coming into the open yard a sudden impulse 

 caused me to spring perpendicularly on my hind legs, and, 

 careless of maintaining my balance, I staggered, and, paAving 

 the air, ran the imminent danger of reeling almost backwards 

 to the ground. Harry's vigorous and judicious pull at my 

 bridle, however, brought me with safety on my fore feet again. 

 Never shall I forget the commotion which this playful freak of 

 mine occasioned. Our trainer, Spanky, and indeed the whole 

 ol the assembled establishment, looked as if they had barely 

 esca^Dcd being swallowed up by a yawning earthquake, concern- 

 ing which not the smallest preliminary notice had been given. 

 "White as any spectre, and breathing with a short convulsive 

 effort, John Sellusall took hold of my head, and pointing in. 

 silence for Harry Dale to mount his hack, which stood ready 

 saddled with Spanky in attendance, and gasping like a stranded 

 fish between his patent bHnkers, he conducted me with his 

 own hands from the stable-yard, and for several miles on the 

 road. 



Nothing ot moment occurred between Newmarket and 

 Leatherhead. Here and there inquuies were made concerning 

 *' v/ho we belonged to ; " but one of the fixed unexceptionable 

 rules of our stable being to render no information upon the 

 most trivial subject connected with it, the questioners received 

 only answers from which nothing could be learned. John 

 Sellusall, however, and the horses under his care, were too well 

 watclied not to be well known, generally speaking, as we passed 

 along. Frequently, I was pointed out as the " crack," although 

 clotlied like the rest, and occupying no conspicuous position 

 apart from my companions. But the report that we were 

 coming had evidently preceded us ; for at certain spots there 



